A STRONG INDICTMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19156, 23 October 1925, Page 9

A STRONG INDICTMENT.

(Published by Arrangement.) i

CREATES CRIMINALS. ! BREEDS CORRUPTION. (By G. Gordon Battle, five years Assistant District Attorney, N.Y.) "In the first place, prohibition has undoubtedly added to the crimes of our country a large and formidable category of offences, either directly or indirectly caused or occasioned by the enactment and enforcement of the prohibition measures. " The bootlegger and the rum-runner have become conspicuous figures in outnational life. 'the assistance of the chancelleries and of the legislatures of foreign nations as well as of our own have been called into requisition to enforce this legislation. Treaties have been enacted, statutes have been passed, departmental regulations innumerable have been promulgated,, all to the end that traffic in intoxicating liquors should cease. " Perjury and corruption are common in the Courts where it is sought to enforce these statutes. Recently a United States Commissioner of wide experience in the enforcement of the Volstead Act in New York City resigned his office and stated in his letter of resignation 'that when he entered upon his official duties lie found the Federal Courthouse the cleanest building in the city and at the lime o £ his resignation it was the foulest,' Undoubtedly, this presents one of the most serious aspects of this subject. No one can deny that the attempt to enforce these laws has brought widespread corruption info the ranks of the Federal service. Hitherto there had been little or no corruption in this service. The widespread venality that lias permeated the prohibition service must sooner or later affect the other governmental departments. Corruption is like I a cancer that grows and spreads. Up to the present time the appointments in the prohibition branch have been political spoils, with the result that many of the appointees have been of the most unworthy character. It would afford a great measure of relief if most of these appointments were placed under the civil Service rules. Then, in addition to the crimes which arc created by the law itself and those which have arisen incidentally in the enforcement of the law, there has been probably an increase in the use of narcotics, and therefore a greater volume of crime in connection with that unlawful traffic. " It must be conceded, therefore, by even the most ardent prohibitionist that with the enactment and enforcement of these laws there has come a very great increase in the number of crimes. " In conclusion, 1 repeat that the most dangerous feature of the present situation is to my mind the official corruption which now forms such a scandal in the enforcement of these laws." —The North American Review, 1925. Prohibition breeds more criminals every day. It is,impossible for any self-respect-ing citizen to respect the prohibition law: contempt for one law lends to contempt for all laws. Under Continuance crime in New Zealand is rapidly decreasing. Strike out the two bottom lines.